Mussa angulosa
Pallas, 1766
Description: Colonies are flat to hemispherical, phaceloid to flabello-meandroid, the latter with short valleys of up to 5 centres. Septa have tall sharp teeth. Columellae are well developed. Retracted polyps are thick and fleshy.
Color: Usually grey, purple or green.
Habitat: Most reef environments.
Abundance: Uncommon.
Similar Species: Scolymia cubensis, which is solitary, less fleshy, and has less excavated corallites with smaller, more even teeth on the septa.
Taxonomic note: Solitary polyps of this species have commonly been called Scolymia lacera. Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic references: Zlatarski and Estalella (1982), Fenner (1993). Identification guides: Colin (1978), Humann (1993).
The usual appearance of a small colony composed of a few polyps. Bahamas Photograph: Charlie Veron
Polyps have a rough texture, like those of most Lobophyllia species. Cozumel, Mexico Photograph: Doug Fenner
A large colony. Bahamas Photograph: Nancy Sefton
Skeletal detail. Showing corallites.
Solitary polyps. These are commonly identified as Scolymia lacera. Honduras Photograph: Paul Humann